Bird Strike Disrupts Air India Flight, Lands Safely in Chennai
An Air India flight from Colombo to Chennai carrying 158 passengers encountered a bird strike but landed safely in Chennai, airport authorities confirmed. Following the incident, the airline cancelled the return leg of the journey as a precaution.
Incident and Response
The bird impact was detected after the aircraft touched down in Chennai. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew. After landing, engineers carried out detailed inspections of the aircraft. Due to observed damage—reportedly to an engine blade—the plane was grounded pending further checks.
Return Flight Cancelled
As a result of the inspection findings, Air India cancelled the return flight from Chennai to Colombo. For affected travelers, the airline arranged an alternate aircraft to transport 137 passengers back to Sri Lanka.
Safety Protocols and Precedents
Bird strikes pose a persistent risk to aviation. Airlines generally inspect aircraft immediately after such incidents to ensure airworthiness. In this case, standard safety protocols were followed, and the decision to cancel the return trip was made in the interest of passenger safety.
